Zone Zero Regulations Undergoing OAL-Recommended Revisions
By Laurel Busby
News & Information Editor
The proposed Zone Zero landscape regulations, which were submitted for review last month to the Office of Administrative Law, have been withdrawn to address “questions and technical recommendations” stemming from that review, according to Tony Andersen, director of the California Board of Forestry & Fire Protection.
Andersen said that he expects this normal revision process to be short and maintain the policy direction of the initial submission of the regulations.
“This is a relatively standard part of the regulatory review process, and staff are already working directly with OAL to connect the remaining dots and make the necessary revisions,” Andersen said in an email. “After the many iterations this package has gone through, and the extensive public engagement process and input received, OAL also identified a few cleanup items that we will resolve as part of a resubmittal. These are precisely the kinds of details that benefit from OAL review before the regulations are finalized and implemented.”
In addition, Andersen said, “Importantly, nothing in the feedback changes the fundamental policy direction of the Board as we spend this additional and expected time. The issues are primarily about ensuring that the regulatory record fully supports the rules, that the language is clear and internally consistent, and that the requirements can be administered and enforced as intended. Staff will continue working closely with OAL, make the necessary revisions, and resubmit the package shortly, as is relatively standard during the process.”
On Sept. 4, the Board of Forestry & Fire Protection withdrew the Zone Zero regulations from the OAL’s review, according to an OAL reference attorney.
The proposed Zone Zero regulations would limit foliage within 5 feet of structures in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and the new rules were anticipated to go into effect this month after their passage by the board in August.
Some previous coverage of Zone Zero by Canyon News is available at this link.
